Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore is stepping away from her role as the provost and executive vice president of academic affairs starting Friday, according to an email sent by the Office of the President this morning.
In the coming months, Jackson-Elmoore will transition to focus on accreditation preparation and other initiatives related to the Cal Maritime integration, the email read. Following the integration, Elmoore will shift to the political science department to serve as a tenured professor.
Lynnette Zelezny will take over Jackson-Elmoore’s current role through the end of April, the email read. Zelezny was the first female president at California State University, Bakersfield and was distinguished for the university’s “unprecedented growth” from 2018 to 2023. Previously, Zelezny held numerous leadership roles at California State University, Fresno for 30 years.
Starting in May, longtime Cal Poly administrator, Al Liddicoat, will take over as provost following Zelezny. Liddicoat currently serves as the interim vice chancellor of human resources for the California State University system. He will temporarily lead the Academic Affairs division until a permanent replacement is found.
In January, President Jeffrey Armstrong announced that Liddicoat will oversee the newly-expanded University Personnel division.
Mustang News emailed the university media’s team this afternoon regarding Liddicoat taking on both roles concurrently. They were unable to share more information at this time.
Jackson-Elmoore has served as provost and executive vice president since August 2020. Her position is responsible for the “formulation of academic policies and priorities” for the university’s six colleges, the Kennedy Library and international programs, according to Cal Poly’s leadership website.
In the email, Armstrong expressed gratitude for her guidance in the semester system conversion, her service on the Chancellor’s Strategic Workgroup on Black Student Success and her impact in strengthening connections with local stakeholders.
Mustang News contacted Jackson-Elmoore for comment this afternoon. She declined comment at this time due to time constraints.